Automatic label emplacer and dispenser for sewing machines

ABSTRACT

An automatic label emplacer is designed for easy attachment to a commercially-available lock-stitch sewing machine. The label emplacer comprises an improved label dispenser which cooperates with a simplified pressure frame that allows for a 360° or more stitching path circumscription of the label. Operation of the label emplacer is pneumatically and mechanically controlled.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a handling device for feeding labels to asewing machine, and more particularly, to a pneumatically andmechanically controlled device for positioning a label for a subsequentsewing operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Previously, such label handling devices employed rather complexmechanisms for transferring the label from a magazine and holding thesame by means of a vacuum pad device within a frame member, the latterusually provided with movable linkage pins or a rotatable connecting rodto allow the stitching needle to circumscribe the label more than 360°,that is, provide a stitching overlap on the label.

These prior art devices required a complex linkage system for removingthe support pins, connecting rod, or frame out of the path of thestitching needle, so that the latter could complete a 360° or moresewing path around the edge of the label. Otherwise, without such alinkage removal means, the sewing path could not extend the full 360° ormore; and as a result, the terminal portion of the sewing path would notbe lock stitched by means of the desired overlap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to alleviate theaforementioned problem and deficiencies of the prior art by providing asimplified automatic label emplacer that allows for a 360° or moresewing path circumscription of the label, yet without the necessity forthe complex linkage removal means of the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a labelemplacer for attachment to a commercially-available lock-stitch sewingmachine for sewing labels on various workpieces in the garment industry.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide asimplified label emplacer that readily accommodates different labelsizes in accordance with the alignment and programming of the sewingmachine to which the label emplacer is attached.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedlabel dispenser for cooperation with the label emplacer attachment.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a labelemplacer attachment for a sewing machine, which is economical toproduce, and which is rugged and reliable for substantiallymaintenance-free operation.

The present invention finds particular utility on an industrial sewingmachine of the type having a platen for supporting a workpiece, areciprocating needle, a carrier means, and a supply of labels. Inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, the labelemplacer includes a means for dispensing labels from the label supply,and further includes a pressure frame mounted on the carrier means.Means are provided, including a label pressure foot, for selecting oneof the labels from the label dispensing means, and means are furtherprovided for transferring the label pressure foot and the one selectedlabel to a stitching position within the pressure frame. The pressureframe along with the label pressure foot are depressed to securelyretain the workpiece to the platen and the label to the workpiece,respectively; and the pressure frame and the label pressure foot aremoved as a unit, substantially in a rectangular pattern, as the label isstitched to the workpiece by the reciprocating needle.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparentfrom a reading of the following specification, taken in conjunction withthe enclosed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the label emplacer of the presentinvention shown attached to a standard industrial sewing machine;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the label emplacer shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the label emplacer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the label pressure foot of the labelemplacer taken across the line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the pressure frame taken across the line5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the pressure frame taken across line 6--6of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7-13 are schematic sequential views of the label emplacer inoperation.

FIGS. 14-17 are plan outlines of the label, sequentially showing thestitching of the label to the garment or other workpiece.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional industrial sewing machine 10 isshown. The machine 10 may consist of a Mitsubishi sewing machine model109064, but it is to be understood that the present invention is notlimited to use thereon. The sewing machine is provided with aconventional sewing head 11 carrying a reciprocating needle 12 in theusual manner. Disposed beneath the forward end of the sewing head is aplaten 13 for supporting a workpiece. A carrier means 14 is providedwhich includes a carrier plate 15 and an overhanging brace 16. Theplaten is mounted on the front portion of the carrier plate. Theoverhanging brace is mounted on the back of the plate and extendsforward over the platen to support the label emplacer 17. In thismanner, the label emplacer and platen can be laterally shifted in unisonduring the stitching process.

With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the label emplacer comprises apressure frame 18 and a label dispenser 19. The pressure frame includesan extension arm 20. The extension arm is a substantially elongated flatbar transversely mounted on the carrier means. Positioned on either endof the extension arm are first and second upstanding bosses, 21 and 22,respectively. These bosses have aligned guideways (preferably ofsubstantially square cross section) through which a square guide bar 23is slidably guided over the extension arm. A label pressure foot 24 ismounted on the guide bar intermediate of the first and second upstandingbosses. A vacuum conduit 25 connects the label pressure foot to theguide bar.

With further reference to FIG. 4, the label pressure foot is formedpreferably as a rectangular piece having a flat bottom surface providedwith at least one orifices 26. An auxiliary label pressure spring 28 iscarried by the top surface of the label pressure foot. The spring 28 isa flat piece having a bent portion which hangs over the top edge of thelabel pressure foot and extends slightly beyond the bottom edge thereofto facilitate holding the label, along with the vacuum pressure, to aworkpiece. The vacuum is directed to the label pressure foot through thevacuum conduit and the guide bar. The guide bar has a communicatingaperture therein which is connected to a vacuum source (not shown)through a line 27 mounted on the guide bar.

A brace member 29 is mounted on the side of the first upstanding bossand extends laterally therefrom substantially perpendicularly, of theextension arm. The protruding end of the brace member is connected to afirst end of a pressure foot 30. The pressure foot is substantiallyparallel to the extension arm and is spaced therefrom a distancesubstantially equal to the length of the brace member. A second end ofthe pressure foot is connected to an L-shaped stabilizer arm 31. Theshorter leg of the stabilizer arm is attached to the pressure foot andis substantially parallel with the brace member. The longer leg of thestabilizer arm is connected to the side of the second upstanding bossand runs substantially parallel and adjacent to the extension arm. Thestabilizer arm is raised above the plane of the pressure frame, therebyforming a slotted opening 32. The slotted opening allows forreciprocable motion of the label pressure foot between the labeldispenser and the substantially rectangular enclosure of the pressureframe.

With reference again to FIG. 2 and with further reference to FIGS. 5 and6, push-pull pneumatic cylinder 33 is mounted above the first upstandingboss by means of a threaded element 34 and is retained by a set screw34a. The plunger 35 of the pneumatic cylinder is attached to anadjustable bracket 36 secured on the guide bar adjacent to the vacuumline. A stop 37 is also adjustably mounted on the guide bar adjacent tothe vacuum line. A deactivation finger 38 is mounted on the end of theguide bar. The stop 37 and deactivation finger 38 are used to activatepneumatic switches 39 and 40 located on a cylinder 58. The pneumaticswitches (shown in FIG. 6) are positioned above the second upstandingboss intermediate of the stop and deactivation finger, and arehorizontally aligned with the guide bar.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the label dispenser 19 includes a firstpressure cylinder 41 which moves the label dispenser vertically. Thefirst pressure cylinder has an air supply 42 and is supported by a firstbracket 43 mounted on a table top 44. The piston 45 of the firstpressure cylinder is attached to a second bracket 46. The second brackethas two alignment pins 47 protruding on top and supports a labelmagazine 48. The label magazine contains a stack of labels 49 supportedon a pressure platform 50. A hinged door 51 connected to the labelmagazine is provided for access thereto. A second pressure cylinder 52,having an air supply 53, is mounted on a third bracket 54 below thelabel magazine. The piston 55 of the second pressure cylinder isattached to the pressure platform. The second pressure cylinder isactivated in a vertical direction, thereby maintaining pressure on thestack of labels.

With reference again to FIG. 2, a specially made stationery metal slidefinger 56 is mounted on the sewing machine's needle guard bar 57. Theslide finger extends down from the guard bar adjacent to the needle.However, the slide finger is bent so that its leading edge protrudesahead of the needle.

In operation, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the guide bar 23 is shifted tothe right by means of the pneumatic cylinder 33, so that the stop 37activates the switch 39 causing the sewing machine's treadle control tobe held inoperative. In the extreme right position, the label pressurefoot 24 is aligned directly above the label magazine 48 containing thestack of labels 49. The label dispenser 19, containing the labelmagazine 48, rises by activation of the first pressure cylinder 41, suchthat the stack of labels 49 contacts the label pressure foot 24. At thesame time, a vacuum is applied (via the vacuum conduit 25) to theorifices 26 on label pressure foot 24, thereby selecting the uppermostlabel L within the magazine. During the upward movement of the labeldispenser 19, two alignment pins 47 on the second bracket 46 makecontact with two holes in the extension arm 20, thereby aligning thelabel pressure foot 24 with the stack of labels 49 contained in thelabel magazine 48. Moreover, when the stack of labels 49 makes contactwith the label pressure foot 24, the second pressure cylinder 52, isactivated, thereby applying instant pressure to the stack of labels 49by way of the pressure platform 50. This aids the vacuum in the labelpressure foot to securely select the label L from the label magazine.

As shown in FIG. 9, once the label L has been secured by the labelpressure foot 24, the label dispenser 19 returns to its originalposition by means of the first pressure cylinder 41; and, at the sametime, the guide bar 23 is shifted to the left by means of the pneumaticcylinder 33, so that the deactivation finger 38 activates the switch 40causing the sewing machine's treadle control to be operative. In theextreme left position, the label pressure foot 24 and the secured labelL are in a stitching position within the confines of the pressure frame18.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 14, upon depression of the sewing machine'streadle control, downward pressure is applied to the pressure frame 18holding the label L and the item on which the label L is to be stitched.Further downward movement of the treadle control will energize thesewing machine and hold pressure on the pressure frame 18. The pressureframe 18 is laterally shifted by a conventionally programmed controlledhydraulic, mechanical or electrical means (not shown) so that the needle12 follows the edge of the label (as shown more clearly in FIGS. 11 and15, repectively).

At approximately 320° from start of stitching, the sewing machine'scarrier means 14 makes contact with an air valve (not shown) thatremoves the vacuum applied to the label pressure foot 24, removes airfrom the pneumatic cylinder 33, and lets the emplacer's circuit returnto its original mode except for the label pressure foot circuit.

At approximately 335° from the start of stitching, (as shown in FIGS. 12and 16) the stationary slide finger 56 makes contact with the vacuumconduit 25 on the label pressure foot 24 and slides the label pressurefoot ahead of the stitching needle 12, thus preventing the needle fromstriking the vacuum conduit. The stationary slide finger 56 is assistedin moving the label pressure foot 24 by the pneumatic cylinder 33, whichreceives a burst of air pressure forcing the plunger 35 attached to theguide bar 23 to move to the right an adjustable distance. As the sewingmachine is programmed for 363° of sewing, this allows the needle 12 tocomplete approximately 363° of stitching, whereby the finishing stitchesoverlap the starting stitches by 3°.

Upon completion of the stitching cycle (as shown in FIGS. 13 and 17)downward pressure is automatically removed from the pressure frame 18and the guide bar 23 is shifted to the extreme right by means of thepneumatic cylinder 33, so that the stop 37 activates the switch 39, thuscausing the treadle to be held in operative and the sewing machine 10 torevert back to its static mode.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the improved labeldispenser cooperates with a simplified pressure frame that allows for a360° or more stitching path circumscription of the label, thus providingan economical and reliable yet high quality device unavailable in theprior art. In addition, the label emplacer is designed for easyattachment to a commercially-available lock-stitch sewing machine.

Obviously, many modifications may be made without departing from thebasic spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, within the scope ofthe appended claims, the invention may be practiced other thanspecifically disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a sewing machine having a carrier meansincluding a platen for supporting a workpiece, a reciprocating needle,and a supply of labels, a label emplacer comprising, in combination, apressure frame mounted on the carrier means, means including a labelpressure foot mounted on the pressure frame for lateral reciprocatorymovement thereon and being adapted for selecting one of the labels fromthe label supply, means for transferring the label pressure foot and thesaid one label to a stitching position relative to the pressure frame,means for depressing the pressure frame along with the label pressurefoot to securely retain the workpiece to the platen and the label to theworkpiece, respectively, means for moving the pressure frame and thelabel pressure foot as a unit as the label is stitched to the workpieceby the reciprocating needle, and means for moving the label pressurefoot out of the path of the reciprocating needle as the stitching of thelabel is being substantially completed.
 2. In a sewing machine having acarrier means including a platen for supporting a workpiece, areciprocating needle, and a supply of labels, a label emplacercomprising, in combination, a pressure frame mounted on the carriermeans, means including a label pressure foot mounted on the pressureframe for lateral reciprocatory movement thereon and being adapted forselecting one of the labels from the label supply, means fortransferring the label pressure foot and the said one label to astitching position relative to the pressure frame, means for depressingthe pressure frame along with the label pressure foot to securely retainthe workpiece to the platen and the label to the workpiece,respectively, means for moving the pressure frame and the label pressurefoot as a unit as the label is stitched to the workpiece by thereciprocating needle, and means for moving the label pressure foot outof the path of the reciprocating needle as the stitching of the label isbeing substantially completed, wherein the pressure frame includesspaced bosses having aligned guide ways formed therein, a guide barmounted in the guideways for lateral reciprocatory movement therein, andmeans for mounting the label pressure foot on the guide bar between thespaced bosses.
 3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the mounting meansfor the label pressure foot includes a vacuum conduit.
 4. Thecombination of claim 3, wherein the label pressure foot has asubstantially flat bottom surface provided with at least one orifice,whereby upon the application of a vacuum, the upper-most label in thelabel supply is selected and is retained on to the bottom surface of thelabel pressure foot.
 5. In a sewing machine having a carrier meansincluding a platen for supporting a workpiece, a reciprocating needle,and a supply of labels, a label emplacer comprising, in combination, apressure frame mounted on the carrier means, means including a labelpressure foot mounted on the pressure frame for lateral reciprocatorymovement thereon and being adapted for selecting one of the labels fromthe label supply, means for transferring the label pressure foot and thesaid one label to a stitching position relative to the pressure frame,means for depressing the pressure frame along with the label pressurefoot to securely retain the workpiece to the platen and the label to theworkpiece, respectively, means for moving the pressure frame and thelabel pressure foot as a unit as the label is stitched to the workpieceby the reciprocating needle, and means for moving the label pressurefoot out of the path of the reciprocating needle as the stitching of thelabel is being substantially completed, wherein the pressure frameincludes a substantially rectangular portion having an opening therein,thereby allowing the label pressure foot to be received within theopening and into the confines of the portion of the pressure frame. 6.The combination of claim 5, wherein the pressure frame portion comprisesa brace member connected to one of the bosses on the pressure frame andextending forwardly therefrom substantially perpendicularly thereof, anextension arm extending substantially parallel to the pressure frame andhaving a pair of ends, one of which is connected to the other of thebosses, a stabilizer arm connected to the other end of the extension armand extending forwardly therefrom substantially parallel to the bracemember, a pressure foot connected to the brace member and stabilizerarm, respectively, and the stabilizer arm being raised upwardly relativeto the pressure foot, thereby forming the opening for receipt of thelabel pressure foot into the pressure frame.
 7. The combination of claim6, further including a pneumatic switch mounted on the pressure framesubstantially adjacent to the other of the bosses, a stop carried by theguide bar, a pneumatic cylinder mounted on the pressure framesubstantially adjacent to the one boss, a piston in the cylinder havingan end extending therefrom substantially parallel to the guide bar, andmeans for mounting the end of the piston to the guide bar.
 8. Thecombination of claim 7, wherein the means for mounting the end of thepiston includes an adjustable bracket.
 9. In a sewing machine forstitching a label to a workpiece, the combination of a pressure framecarried by the machine, a guide bar mounted on the machine for limitedreciprocatory sliding movement relative to the pressure frame, a supplyof labels, means including a label pressure foot carried by the guidebar for selecting one of the labels, means for reciprocating the guidebar and the label pressure foot relative to the machine, said last-namedmeans including means for transferring the label pressure foot and theselected one label within the pressure frame, means for moving thepressure frame and the label pressure foot in a substantiallyrectangular pattern as the label is stitched to the workpiece, and meansfor retracting the label pressure foot out of the pressure frame whenthe label is stitched sufficiently to the workpiece to be retainedthereon, further including means for providing an overlap beyond 360° inthe stitching of the label to the workpiece.
 10. In a sewing machine forstitching a label to a workpiece, the combination of a pressure framecarried by the machine, a guide bar mounted on the machine for limitedreciprocatory sliding movement relative to the pressure frame, a supplyof labels, means including a label pressure foot carried by the guidebar for selecting one of the labels, means for reciprocating the guidebar and the label pressure foot relative to the machine, said last-namedmeans including means for transferring the label pressure foot and theselected one label within the pressure frame, means for moving thepressure frame and the label pressure foot in a substantiallyrectangular pattern as the label is stitched to the workpiece, and meansfor retracting the label pressure foot out of the pressure frame whenthe label is stitched sufficiently to the workpiece to be retainedthereon and further including a label dispenser having a magazine forthe supply of labels therein, means for raising the magazine upwardlywithin the dispenser, and means for raising the dispenser in timedsequence to allow the label pressure foot to select an uppermost labelwithin the dispenser.
 11. In a sewing machine having a carrier meansincluding a platen for supporting a workpiece, a reciprocating needle,and a supply of labels, a label emplacer comprising, in combination, apressure frame mounted on the carrier means, means including a labelpressure foot mounted on the pressure frame for lateral reciprocatorymovement thereon and being adapted for selecting one of the labels fromthe label supply, means for transferring the label pressure foot and thesaid one label to a stitching position relative to the pressure frame,means for depressing the pressure frame along with the label pressurefoot to securely retain the workpiece to the platen and the label to theworkpiece, respectively, means for moving the pressure frame and thelabel pressure foot as a unit as the label is stitched to the workpieceby the reciprocating needle, and means for moving the label pressurefoot out of the path of the reciprocating needle as the stitching of thelabel is being substantially completed, wherein the means for moving thelabel pressure foot out of the path of the reciprocating needle includesa stationary slide finger.
 12. A label emplacer and dispenser that isadaptable to a sewing machine including a platen, a supply of labels, acarrier means, a pressure frame mounted on the carrier means, a pressurefoot mounted on the pressure frame, means for retracting the pressurefoot, means for depressing the pressure frame and pressure foot, whereinthe pressure frame includes spaced bosses having aligned guidewaysformed therein, a guide bar mounted in the guideways for lateralreciprocating movement therein, means for mounting the pressure foot onthe guide bar between the spaced bosses, wherein the label pressure foothas a substantially flat bottom surface provided with at least oneorifice, the pressure foot including a vacuum conduit, wherein the labelpressure foot has a substantially flat bottom surface provided with atleast one orifice, whereby upon application of a vacuum through thevacuum conduit, the uppermost label in the supply of labels is selectedand is retained on the bottom surface of the label pressure foot. 13.The label emplacer and dispenser of claim 12 wherein the means forretracting the pressure foot includes a metal slide finger.
 14. A labelemplacer and dispenser that is adaptable to a sewing machine including aplaten, a supply of labels, a carrier means, a pressure frame mounted onthe carrier means, a pressure foot mounted on the pressure frame, meansfor retracting the pressure foot, means for depressing the pressureframe and pressure foot, wherein the pressure frame includes spacedbosses having aligned guideways formed therein, a guide bar mounted inthe guideways for lateral reciprocating movement therein, means formounting the pressure foot on the guide bar between the spaced bosses,wherein the label pressure foot has a substantially flat bottom surfaceprovided with at least one orifice, the pressure foot including a vacuumconduit, and wherein the pressure frame includes a substantiallyrectangular portion having an opening therein, thereby allowing thelabel pressure foot to be received within the opening and into theconfines of the portion of the pressure frame.
 15. The label emplacerand dispenser of claim 14 wherein the means for retracting the pressurefoot includes a metal slide finger.
 16. A label emplacer and dispenserthat is adaptable to a sewing machine including a platen, a supply oflabels, a carrier means, a pressure frame mounted on the carrier means,a pressure foot mounted on the pressure frame, means for retracting thepressure foot, means for depressing the pressure frame and pressurefoot, wherein the pressure frame includes spaced bosses having alignedguideways formed therein, a guide bar mounted in the guideways forlateral reciprocating movement therein, means for mounting the pressurefoot on the guide bar between the spaced bosses, wherein the labelpressure foot has a substantially flat bottom surface provided with atleast one orifice, the pressure foot including a vacuum conduit, wherebyupon application of a vacuum through the vacuum conduit the uppermostlabel in the supply of labels is selected and is retained on the bottomsurface of the label pressure foot, further including a label dispenserhaving a magazine for the supply of labels therein, means for raisingthe magazine upwardly within the dispenser, and means for raising thedispenser in timed sequence to allow the label pressure foot to selectan uppermost label within the dispenser.
 17. The label emplacer anddispenser of claim 16 wherein the means for retracting the pressure footincludes a metal slide finger.